Message development, social media strategies, and speaker/media training for individuals and groups, so you don't get caught unprepared, speechless or without a message. I'm Washington, DC-based communications consultant Denise Graveline. Want to pick my brain or get a sense of how I work? Do it here.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Your company's or organization's spokesperson--not you, but your prinicipal, CEO or expert--has a tough job. She's likely spent less time than you have figuring out how things should sound or the effect of a casual comment. Offer these shortcuts to help your spokesperson find the road to success faster in spoken comments. They're all from our sister blog on public speaking, The Eloquent Woman:

The 6 strongest speaker statements: This list starts with one of the toughest (but most effective) statements for people to say in public, "I don't know," and moves on from there. These are great statements to have in your back pocket for all sorts of situations. Note that each one begins with "I"--since I'm a big advocate of spokespeople speaking for themselves.

The 5 weakest speaker statements: These statements help your prinicipal avoid wasting time and watering down a statement--or overstating data and ideas. And while you may not be able to stop your spokesperson from saying these statements right away, I hope the post helps you convince him that they weaken, rather than strengthen, his position.

Why "I don't know" may be the expert's best Q-and-A tool: Here's a great first-person account from someone who has to answer public questions authoritatively, and how she learned to embrace "I don't know" as a powerful (and accurate) statement in the face of questions, when appropriate.

7 reasons I want you to talk more shares the times when your spokesfolk should expand on their thoughts, whether in response to a question from a reporter or an audience member.

I do media training, speaker and presentation coaching and message development. If you need help shaping your top spokesperson's statements and her ability to put them across, email me at info[at]dontgetcaught[dot]biz.